Fixture

Ystalyfera RFC | 1st Team 8 - 5 Bonymaen RFC | 1st Team
Steffan Castle
Drop Goal 1

Match Report
13 December 2017 / Team News

Ystalyfera 8 – 5 Bonymaen

The ‘Fera’s first game since 4th November, was the home 3Rd Round Welsh Plate tie versus Bonymaen. Conditions were cold with no wind, the snow on the Darren striking a somewhat Christmas Card scene onto the wet and sticky pitch below. The visitors began toward the Swansea End, Ystalyfera in their white reserve kit. A series of high searching kicks by both sides ended with the first scrum on the home 22m line. The ‘Fera pack pushed hard but Bony came away with the ball, working up a steady first attack. Ystalyfera appeared to be covered but scrum half Connor Salter shrugged off a tackle between his centre’s and run in a Try in the 3rd minute. Not converted – score 0 – 5. The match restarted in the home half with a set of scrums, the ‘Fera pack being strong and winning penalties. Moving steadily into the Bonymaen half, position then changed with a long kick into the changing room corner. Ystalyfera had to defend hard, keeping out determined attacks. In turn, the ‘Fera stole the ball and ran up into the opposite Garage corner. The contest continued with both sides taking turns to move the ball and look for gaps, both defences standing true. Being evenly matched the sides played hard in the energy sapping conditions, Ystalyfera attempted to up their game and claw back the score. The increased tempo paid dividends in the last minute of the half when, from a practised catch and drive the home pack crossed over the Bonymaen try-line, and prop Jonathan Williams touched down to level the score 5 – 5.

Ystalyfera started the second half seeking to kick into the corners. Substitute Cameron Miguel came on for Paul Davies keeping the home pressure on, until events settled in midfield. A dropped ball by Bonymaen gave outside half Steffan Castle an opportunity to gain the lead but the chance was missed. With the challenging conditions and the big effort being put in by both sides, a series of kicks now ensued, both sides looking for errors to break the deadlock. Nothing was forthcoming and both sides needed to concentrate. The Ystalyfera pack were now gaining the upper hand and wining more of the ball. Home attacks were moving from one wing to the other, Bony restricted to long clearances up the field when they won possession. The casualty count on the visitors moved the game into uncontested scrums, but Ystalyfera were now attacking relentlessly. Wing Josh Jarrett made a penetrating run diagonally into midfield, a line kick to his opposite winger Luc Caines earning a line out in the Tunnel 5m line. An attempted drop goal by Steffan Castle was charged down, but the resulting uncontested scrum ensured a return of the ball. Attacking scrums continued and in the 85th minute Staffan Castle made another drop goal attempt which was successful. Final score 8 – 5.

A high quality match between leading sides in Division One West Central, saw Ystalyfera force themselves through into the Fourth Round versus Maesteg/Gorseinon. Both sides were as good as each other, and undefeated in the last ten games in the competition, the ‘Fera will be returning next week to play Bonymaen again in a return away League fixture, kick off 2:30.

Ystalyfera gave away 5 penalties:

1 offside, 2 illegal hands on ball, 1 in scrum, and 1 for entering in the side.

Bonymaen gave away 9 penalties;

4 offside and 5 scrum offences.

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